Monday, February 26, 2018

Thousands of Torontonians from all walks of life took to the streets on Earth Day 2017 to speak out for science and evidence-based research. The March for Science Toronto – one of 600 such events around the world decrying a move away from facts and scientific knowledge, came in solidarity with a similar march organized in Washington D.C.

"Politics should not be shaping science; science should be informing politics," said rally MC Dr. Rupinder Brar.

"(Science is) not an ideology – it’s a process. It’s a method that we employ for learning the truth and it’s under threat in many ways."

Similar to last year, the March will feature a diverse line-up of speakers to reflect on the need for evidence-based policy and safeguarding of scientific integrity in Canada - and around the world.

Scientists and scientific institutions need to do better to ensure the voices of marginalized groups are amplified, and that actionable steps are taken to increase diversity within the research community.